The Flextip is your point of contact with the ground. Its function is why you are using poles for walking and is often neglected.

The sharp, hollow pointed, tip on the LEKI Flextip is made from tungsten carbide, one of the hardest substances known, but even this can become chipped or worn, especially after long mileage walking on roads or paved surfaces.

Flextips are named as such due to their ability to flex by up to 30 degrees if stuck in a crack or under a tree root. This means the end of the pole is much less likely to become damaged in normal use. If the Flextip is bent beyond 30 degrees it is designed to break, but this usually still results in no damage to the lower pole section. The Flextips can then easily be replaced.

Old Flextips are removed by immersing the end of the pole, up to the top of the Flextip, in hot water for a minute or so. It will usually be possible to pull of the flextip after wrapping it in a cloth. Some poles, due to their surface finish, have the Flextip glued in to place; removal is the same process, just with hotter water for a little longer, sometimes also utilising a pair of locking grips and a hammer.

New Flextips are held on by the inside exactly matching the taper of the pole section. The tip should just be firmly tapped on to solid ground (choose your surface carefully; new flextips are very sharp and will take a chunk out of tiled floors!). If the old Flextip was glued into place then a small amount of epoxy glue such as Araldite will be necessary.

The Long Carbide Flextip is supplied on ski touring poles and with the Deep Powder Basket Set , they can be used on any pole if slightly more flex is needed.